make choices

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   To decide between two or more possibilities, especially as part of everyday or repeated decisions.

   Grammar: The verb is 'make', not 'do'; it can be used with 'about' or 'between' to show what the decisions concern.

   Patterns

   • make choices about something
   • make choices between two things
   • make good choices
   • make bad choices

   Teenagers need to learn how to make choices about their own money.

   We make hundreds of small choices every day without noticing.

   Parents cannot make every choice for their children forever.

2. 2phraseidiom

   To select particular options from what is available, often when the range is limited.

   Grammar: Often used when the set of possibilities is restricted; 'from' can introduce the available options.

   Patterns

   • make choices from a list
   • make a choice from something
   • make your choice

   Students make choices from a list of optional courses.

   You can make your choice from the menu at any time.

   The judges made their choices from over two hundred entries.

Common combinations

make informed choices

Good labels help shoppers make informed choices.

make healthy choices

The program teaches children to make healthy choices at lunchtime.

make difficult choices

Doctors sometimes have to make difficult choices about who gets treatment first.

make your own choices

Once you turn eighteen, you can make your own choices.

have no choice

We had no choice but to wait for the next train.

Synonyms and how they differ

decide

A single verb that simply means reaching a decision; 'make choices' often stresses the act of selecting among options rather than the final decision.

choose

A verb that takes a direct object ('choose a book'); 'make choices' is a phrase about the general activity of deciding.

select

More formal and suggests careful picking from a group; 'make choices' is broader and more everyday.

Word family

choice noun

The act of choosing, or the range of things you can choose from.

choosy adjective

Informal and slightly disapproving: hard to please because you are very careful about what you accept.

Commonly confused: make choices or do a choice?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “make choices”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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